Pulsatile Tinnitus from Blood Pressure

[manu89]

Hello, I'm relatively new here since I only recently created my account, although I've followed Tinnitus Talk since 2021. I've had bilateral tinnitus since the age of 12, and I'm now 25. It first appeared in my right ear and later in my left as a very faint ringing. During my teenage years, I went through every kind of test, from hearing exams to MRI scans, and everything came back normal. The doctors told me there was no apparent cause for my tinnitus.

Over the years, it gradually worsened, but I managed to adapt since there wasn't anything else I could do. However, during the past two weeks, likely because of the intense stress I've been experiencing at work, I developed pulsatile tinnitus in my left ear. I notice it when my blood pressure is around 120/80, and it becomes constant and unbearable when my blood pressure rises to 130/80. I'm slim and quite athletic, and my usual blood pressure has always been between 100–110/70–80, which is considered optimal, so the pulsatile tinnitus is usually very faint.

If anyone can offer advice or recommendations, I'd be very grateful. I know that doctors will likely dismiss my case since my blood pressure is technically within the normal range.

Best regards.

 

[RingDingDong]

I'm assuming you have had a cerebral angiogram and that it came back normal. It definitely sounds like a vascular or cellular issue. There is another member on here who described a kink in the vessels near their ears that caused pulsatile tinnitus, and it was not picked up with MRIs. A neurologist found it with an angiogram and placed a stent, and when she woke up from surgery the tinnitus was permanently gone.

I am not sure if you have had a recent angiogram, but that type of tinnitus can sometimes be cured if they can locate the defect.

Best wishes to you, my fellow tinnitus sufferer.